St. Helena Sound Heritage Preserve
Contact Information
Maps and general information on the area can be obtained from:
ACE Basin
National Estuarine Research Reserve
(843) 844-8822
(843)
953-9300
or from:
SC Department of Natural Resources
Heritage Trust Program
(803) 734-3886
Hours of Operation
The preserve is open year-round.
Contributions to the Endangered Wildlife Fund on the South Carolina Income Tax Form help to make the identification and management of these preserves possible.
Important Information for Visitors
Photographs
Description
The St. Helena Sound Heritage Preserve lies at the southern tip of the ACE Basin project area and contains a diverse assemblage of outer coastal plain and barrier island natural communities. It is isolated, undeveloped and protected by open water boundaries established by the National Estuarine Research Reserve System (NERRS). The islands contained within the Heritage Preserve are the core research areas of the NERRS and include Otter (1,889 acres), Ashe (1,722 acres), Beet (1,685 acres), Big/Warren Complex (2,241 acres) and South Williman (2,764 acres) islands.
Otter Island receives special protection because of its significance for rare plants, threatened and endangered species, and as an historic site. Otter's significance as a rich wildlife area is due in large part to its location. There are developed islands to the north (Edisto Island) and to the south (Harbor, Fripp and Hunting). Thus, for a long stretch of coastline, Otter is the only spot where wildlife species can rest, feed and reproduce without development pressures. The island includes maritime forest, freshwater and brackish wetlands, open salt marsh, undisturbed dune fields and shrub thickets. It is one of the State's most active nesting areas for loggerhead sea turtles and also provides nesting and feeding habitat for the endangered piping plover, peregrine falcon, wood stork, and southern bald eagle. Diamondback rattlesnakes also find refuge on Otter Island.
Daytime public use is allowed on the island year round, but access points may be limited due to wildlife resting and nesting locations. Camping and nighttime uses are allowed only during November through April. Archery hunting for deer is allowed during November.
Since other islands within the Preserve are also accessible only by boat, there is limited opportunity for public visitation. Unlike Otter, these islands are open year round for public use. The two inland maritime islands best suited for public access are Big and Warren because there is direct access to high ground from the water. There are no easy landing sites for the other inland islands. There are no facilities on any of the islands and one should be prepared for primitive conditions when camping, hiking or picnicking on these areas. Plant communities are similar on the islands and contain South Atlantic barrier island forest, salt shrub thicket, salt marsh, barrier island ponds, shell mounds, and sand/mud flats. Wildlife includes white-tailed deer, raccoons, bobcat, rattlesnake, feral hog, and a variety of songbirds, waterfowl, wading birds and shorebirds.